Structural unit



Qct. 6, 1931. D. H. BITNEY 1,826,042

STRUCTURAL UNIT Filed Aug. 16; 1929 INVENTOR A TTORNEYX Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFricE DEWEY H. BITNEY, 0F ALBION, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO UNION STEEL PRODUCTS l COMPANY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN STRUCTURAL UNIT Application filed August 16, 1929. Serial No. 386,280.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved structural unit adapted as a support for reinforcing bars and other reinforcing elements in concrete structures which is very economical to produce in varying heights or sizes, and one which may be quickly cut down to the desired height should occasion require.

A further object is to provide a structure having these advantages in which a minimum amount of material is employed and there is little metal exposed after the forms have been removed.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claim.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which, g

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of my improved structural unit, a. plurality of reinforcing bars being illustrated by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section through a form with one of my improved reinforce chairs in position therein and a plurality of reinforce bars mounted thereon.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, a removed section of one of the legs Jeing indicated by dotted lines.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 represents a form and 2 the reinforce bars. My improved reinforce chair or support comprises a longitudinal rod 3 provided with a plurality of legs 4, these legs having laterally projecting arms 5 welded or otherwise fixed to the rod 3 in spaced relation, with the arms of alternate legs disposedin opposite directions, thereby providing base for the support. a

The arms 5 terminate in upwardly projecting attaching members 6 having downwardly curved portions 7 disposed in planes parallel to the plane of the longitudinal rod, or longitudinally thereof, so that they may be sprung to receive the reinforcing bar 20, the

bars being thereby effectively secured or re tained in position and in properly spaced relation.

a relatively wide I thus secure a very stable chair and, further, the length of the legs may be easily changed in manufacture, or may be out off on the job, as indicated at 8 in Fig. 3. These chairs are arranged in the forms 1 as-indicated, and it will be obvious that when the forms are removed only the ends of the legs are exposed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A structural unit comprising a longitudinal supporting rod, and a plurality of legs having arms at their upper ends disposed transversely ofthe rod and fixedly secured to the under side thereof, said arms terminating in upwardly extending attaching members having reinforce engaging portions disposed longitudinally of the rod and in spaced relation thereto.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 

